NEIL Warnock claimed it was difficult to imagine he would still be in charge by Christmas after a sticky start to life as Crystal Palace manager.

Now his team are up to fifth in the Championship after they extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to 15 games with a 2-0 win against Bristol City.

The run is Warnock's personal best as a manager.

Clinton Morrison's sixth-minute strike gave Palace the lead before captain Mark Hudson wrapped up the three points with a header five minutes from time.

Palace are now seven points behind leaders West Brom, who were held 3-3 at home by Cardiff.

The former Sheffield United boss said: "The first four weeks were the hardest I'd had in my whole career.

"It was difficult to imagine whether I'd be managing at Christmas, let alone being in the top six in January."

Warnock said the secret to Palace's success was hard work combined with the fact the players enjoyed their football.

He explained: "We're playing with a smile on our faces and there's not of enough of that around.

"The lads take it on board we have to enjoy it and they do.

"It's great to be in the dressing room, that' what managers want. That's why they manage for such a long time."

Warnock added: "It's not rocket science, it's about getting the most out of your players.

"It's about getting players to believe in themselves and enjoying it.

"With some of the youngsters, the dressing room looks like kindergarten at times."

The Palace chief also revealed he would be bringing in one or two new faces during the next week, and hopes to sign Shaun Derry from Leeds permanently.

He said: "We're talking about Shaun Derry. We have got some dialogue with the other club and we'll be talking over the next few days.

"We'd like to sign Shaun and we're optimistic of that. It's just a matter of the two clubs agreeing.

"I imagine there will be a few bits and bobs in and out over the next week as we come to the end of transfer window."

Warnock also paid tribute to James Scowcroft and Matt Lawrence.

He said: "Scowcroft and Lawrence are our unsung heroes, they're playing fantastic at the moment.

"I don't think they've ever played as well in their careers. They've definitely not worked as hard."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Julian Speroni claimed the team believed they could win every game at the moment as the look to clinch the most unlikely of promotions.

He said: "We start a game knowing we can win and we take one game at a time.

"The team spirit is very, very high and there is confidence because we're winning games."

Speroni also said he was very pleased with conceding one goal in five games.

He added: "he important thing is to win the game, but obviously with clean sheets it's better.

"I always look to keep a clean sheet, but if we win the game then I'm happy."